Sabres take D Ballard with 11th overall pick

'Ballard was ranked just 19th among North American prospects by NHL Central Scouting after helping Minnesota capture the NCAA championships as a freshman. Slightly undersized at 5-11 and 196 pounds, Ballard is an offensive-minded defenseman who had 22 goals and 29 assists in 56 games with Omaha of the U.S. Hockey League in 2000-01.'